Piping Up

Q. Hello, I am a frequent user of group study rooms on 2nd floor of Bennett library. I understand that the rooms are in high demand, but I am frustrated that some groups book a room online, but they do not use it. If I can’t use the room at the time of convenience, then at least I’d want the room to be used by some other group who really needs that location. I see group names like “menggggg” or “meng” always booking the room, but I am suspicious that they might just be being inconsiderate to other groups who’s in need of a location. The easy procedure to book a room is convenient to students, but this convenience is being abused by some inconsiderate students. It would be much better to have just one more procedure – confirm that the room is being used at that time. Say, pressing a button within 5 mins of starting time enables the room to be shown “in use”, if not, the booking be automatically erased from the booking schedule for other group to book at that time. I’ve seen SFU gym use this booking strategy for the trademill and etcs – If the person who booked the exercise instrument is not using it after 5 mins, other people are freed to use it. Please consider this suggestion and make Bennett library a better place to communicate with others and exchange knowledge. Thank you.

A. Thank you for your email. If a room has not been occupied within 10 minutes of the booking time, you are welcome to use it. This option is listed on the booking page, just above the date:

Regards,
Natalie
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Natalie Gick
Associate University Librarian, Administrative Services

Q. Regarding Study Room 3045 at Belzberg, the last time I booked this room was last year and upon arrival I realized that it was an open space and not a closed room. I’ve heard recently that there was some sort of renovation done on this space. Is it now an enclosed room? I found being out in the open was quite distracting before, so I’m keen to know what exactly the renovation was prior to booking the room again.

A. Hi,

regards,
Karen.
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Karen Marotz
Head, Belzberg Library
Samuel and Frances Belzberg Library

Q. Belzberg Study Room 3045 is out of service, and looks like it will be for a long time. Yes, there is a message at the very top of each day’s schedule saying the room is unavailable, but when making a booking, I interpreted that as referring to just the block of time in which the message appears. I don’t appear to be alone in this misconception, since lots of others — who face nothing but disappointment — have also made bookings. Can you just take the room out of the system, or book it continuously, or even change the message so that it’s clear that the room is totally out of the picture?

A. Hello,

regards,
Karen Marotz
Head, Belzberg Library

Q: The 6th floor computer section is notorious for people talking, showing a complete disregard for students who need a quiet area to work at a desktop from; a real lack of etiquette. Can you please clarify whether or not this is particular area is quiet study area so that at least we know what the rules and expectations are. Thanks.

A: Thank you for your feedback. Yes the 6th floor including the computer area is intended to be quiet study. Obviously there will be the clicking of keyboards and from time to time a pair of students may briefly discuss something but it is meant to be a quiet area. The 3rd floor computers are more conducive to group work or if a desktop machine is not needed, students should be carrying on their discussion in either the large group study area or the group study rooms on the 2nd floor. If you are not comfortable approaching these students and asking them to be quiet or to move, feel free in contacting a staff member at one of the service points.

Todd M. Mundle
Associate University Librarian

Q: There are plenty of silent study areas & then the group study downstairs. Could there be an actual quiet study group area?

A: Unfortunately, we have no way of creating a “quieter” group study area that would not then potentially grow into a noisy place. Todd Mundle, Associate University Librarian.